How I Learned to Drive was written by the very talented Paula Vogel, who also wrote Desdemona: A Story About a Handkerchief (which I'd seen the year before). Drive won a slew of impressive awards when it debuted in 1998 including the Pulitzer Prize. It starred Jennifer Jason Leigh and David Morse on Broadway.

The play, set in 1960-70s Maryland, centers around the character of "Lil' Bit" and features vignettes from her life from ages 11 to 30. "Lil' Bit" is "well-endowed" and is consistently teased and mistreated by schoolmates and her uneducated family. The one person that truly cares about "Lil' Bit" is her aunt's husband, "Uncle Peck." "Peck" teaches her about life and how to drive a car while at the same time molesting and manipulating her. It's a very complex story that's sad, touching and funny at the same time.

The role of "Uncle Peck" is certainly one of the most interesting and intense roles that I've ever played. What makes him truly unique is that, though he's a pedophile, he is still sympathetic. He's a war veteran who works hard, takes good care of his wife, helps his neighbors and is a father figure to his niece. He's a pillar of society in every way except one -- but of course that one way is unforgivable.

"Peck" tries to control his urges by drinking too much. When she's 12, "Lil' Bit" senses he has problems and also seeks and needs his positive attention. She has the idea to make a deal with him. If he will stop drinking, she will meet him privately to talk. From there, things get out of hand.

It was an interesting process, to say the least, developing this character. In the early parts of rehearsal, it was a bit difficult getting to know "Peck" without becoming totally disgusted. Pedophilia and what it does to a child is so revolting to me personally that it sometimes affected my mood outside of the play. I remember standing in line at a bagel bakery feeling dirty and disgusting, like I had something to hide.

Ultimately, it's impossible to play a character that you find revolting. It helped me to remember that everyone believes that they are justified in their actions, no matter how horrible they may seem to an outside observer. A pedophile is no different. Everyone is a hero in their own story. People can't live with themselves any other way.

My hook was that "Peck" truly loves and cares for "Lil' Bit." He honestly believes that everything he does is for her higher good. While he secretly plans their intimate future together (once she reaches adulthood), he also helps her to become strong -- strong enough to eventually sever their inappropriate relationship.

Because of some of the disturbing subject matter, it was very important that the actress playing "Lil' Bit" and I be able to work together comfortably. I was very fortunate to be cast opposite Andrea Plaud. Andrea is a young, sensitive and mature actress and it was a pleasure to work with her. I made a point to make sure that she was comfortable at all times and we both made sure that the lines of communication were always open between us. As is the case when you're working on any incredibly serious material, it especially helped to be able to joke around with the other actors, the director and the crew to break the tension.

As part of the run of How I Learned to Drive, there were some "audience talkback" sessions. The audience and some of the cast would sit and discuss the play and it's themes together after the show. These talkbacks were led by a social worker, a family counselor and a philosophy professor. It was interesting to hear how different people viewed the play, the characters and the subject matter. The conversations ranged from people offering interesting insights to some who seemed almost militant in their strong viewpoints.

The play is so well written and complex that you could talk for hours about it and never run out of discussion material. Different audience members told me that the play kept them thinking for days afterwards.

It's a complex play that deals with a very sensitive topic in a very approachable way -- my ideal of what theatre is all about. I'm very glad and very grateful to Director Leah Kennicott for the opportunity to be part of this production.